Accessories add life to vacant homes

DEAR GAIL: We have to put our house on the market as we’re moving to Chicago due to my husband’s company relocating us. We know there couldn’t be a worse time, but the opportunity is too good to turn down. They’re paying for the move so we’re taking all of our furniture, but that will leave the house empty. What should we do? — Barb and Ron.

DEAR BARB and RON: I agree that right now is not the optimal time to sell a house, but sometimes it can’t be helped. With the number of houses on the market, it’s important that yours stand out over your competition. Now more than ever is the time to stage a property so that it will be remembered versus the 20-plus other houses that buyers will look at during a weekend.

I understand that your move is being paid for, but are there any things that you might want to replace in your new home? Think about those things that you’ve had for years that maybe you’ve tired of but are just taking with you. What about artwork, accessories, plants, lamps, window treatments or even some small accent pieces of furniture? It’s important to give the house a lived-in feel to make it welcoming. Nothing is worse than walking into a completely vacant home. That’s why builders decorate model homes — to provide buyers with the visual of living their dream of home ownership.

I know you can’t leave everything, but even a vignette of items makes a difference. A vignette is a group of items that tells a story.

One of the most important areas you need to address is your entry as it gives the first impression for the rest of the house. You can keep it very simple with a console table, lamp and a colorful potted silk plant. No real plants are allowed when a house is vacant. Just purchase an artificial plant that looks like Mother Nature made it. Place the lamp on a timer so that when prospective buyers come in, they are welcomed with light and life from the potted plant.

Then accessorize your kitchen counter and island. Keep it simple as you want buyers to see your counter space as well as make it inviting. Accessorize the first area that you see when you enter the kitchen. In that area, use a colorful jar or set of canisters and a small green. Red is always a great color as it is exciting and, with nothing else in the room, you want to get your kitchen noticed and make it stand apart from all the others. Even those of us who don’t cook still want a nice big, lively kitchen, as kitchens are the heart of every home.

The next area is your master bedroom and bath. Do you have a round skirted table you can use? Place it in the first corner you see, along with a lamp, accessory and piece of artwork. If there is a window on that wall, dress it with simple panels on an iron rod.

Bring in a floral arrangement for the counter in your master bath. Take a clear vase, fill it with silica sand and use three large sunflowers. I don’t know anyone who dislikes sunflowers.

Another option is to hire a real estate stager to fill your house with items, which you rent on a monthly basis. Ask the stager if he or she offers different packages. Some stagers will shop for the items and sell them outright to you instead of renting them. Then when the house sells, you can leave them with the buyer or have them picked-up by a nonprofit organization.

Even if you just get color and life into your entry, kitchen and master suite, it will make a big difference versus having a vacant house. Best of luck and really consider all of those things that you’re ready to let go of and use them to make more money for you here.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.